"Are workers demanding raises the next threat to U.S. economy? " Houston Chronicle 8/1/08

[elehhhhna]

Prospect of increases in U.S. pay worries Fed
Policymakers fear spiral of wage-price hikes
By LOUIS UCHITELLE New York Times
July 31, 2008, 10:30PM
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Print Email Del.icio.usDiggTechnoratiYahoo! BuzzThe surges in oil and food prices couldn't have come at a worse moment for the typical U.S worker, who hasn't had a raise to speak of this decade.

Workers' leverage is gone. Companies are not creating jobs. Unions that negotiated big wage increases in the 1970s are shadows of their former selves. Cost-of-living adjustments have disappeared. And the movement of jobs offshore, or the threat of it, has conditioned workers to not even ask for a raise, fearing they'll join the millions already laid off.

Still, the Federal Reserve's policymakers — its governors and the presidents of its regional banks — are convinced that wage pressures could emerge unexpectedly. That concern, and the idea that wage pressures could lead to yet higher prices and a rising inflation rate, showed up in half-a-dozen interviews with policymakers over the last week.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5918658.html

[Warren Stupidity]

1. Fuck Yes!

And it is about damn time.

[liberal N proud]

2. Now it is a war on those who want raises to pay for inflation

What the fuck!

[DailyGrind51]

3. The money can come from the bloated compensation packages

of senior management! Where is it written that a CEO makes 1,000 times what an average employee earns?

[WCGreen]

5. Why it's Right there in the DLC and GOP handbook of Fundraising

Etiquette.

[NightWatcher]

4. shut up and take what we give you, else we'll hire an immigrant or unemployed person

that's their rally cry to put down the working man

[gasperc]

6. welcome to the F' you, pay me economy

Exxon-Mobil can't possible afford higher wages for it's workers because this would apparently prevent Exxon-Mobil from achieving said record profits. In turn, higher wages would stoke said inflation which is being stoked by higher commodity prices and has nothing to do with higher wages and...oh lordy, how DID things get so royally fucked up.

[CanonRay]

7. Oh noes! The masses want more money?

Now THIS is a real threat. I think we're doomed.

[Wapsie B]

8. According to people like Brian Tracy they sure are.

A big threat to the economy of this country are workers who expect too much. He's been driveling that line for years. I'm sure he's a big hit for Chamber of Commerce conventions.

[mdmc]

9. I get a tiny raise every year

the economy's crash is not my fault...

[nebenaube]

10. i understand the rich taste pretty good with a bit of barbecue sauce...

Add that to the chatter, our raises have been effective pay cuts.

[Trajan]

11. IF workers had received regular raises ...

that matched the increased profits for the companies they worked for: There would be no economic downturn .... there would be no mortgage mess (or less of one at least) ....

Families would have the money needed to pay their bills and send their children to college ....

Low Wages is our BIGGEST problem ..... in my view ...

[elehhhhna]

12. Remember when the 90's were touted as the first econ recovery that didn't raise wages?

I do.

[gratuitous]

13. Shut up, you lot! You got big raises back in the 1970s!

Now, go back to working more hours more productively and quit worrying about where all that increased wealth is going. It's none of your business.

[opihimoimoi]

14. BLAME THE WORKING CLASS BULL SHIT..The GOP fucks it all up

with Bushie and Cronies and now they wanna blame the people? like we wanted a fucking econ down turn?

This is typ Pub Talking points...point to others thru FRAMING the questions.

[marmar]

15. The subtle message: Sit down and shut up, or you all will be in the soup line.....

..... This isn't France, Germany or some other country with participatory democracy.